Friday, March 3rd
Eat mantu, Afghan Cuisine, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., $14.99
The newest restaurant in C-U Afghan Cuisine is now open inside Strawberry Fields in Urbana. I shared a first look at some of the dishes on Tuesday. Everything I tried was yummy, and of all the dishes, my favorite was the mantu, an Afghan dumpling topped with lentils and tomato, then drizzled with the garlic yogurt sauce. The steamed dumpling was filled with beef and onions, and the super soft handmade dumpling wrapper was so good. (AB)
Check out Allen Epley and Tractor Kings, Loose Cobra, 9 p.m., $10
Epley, originally from Kansas City, but now a Chicagoan (he plays in the band for Blue Man Group), is headed to Tolono to share his recently released solo album Everything. Alt-country rock and psychedelic folk band Tractor Kings are opening. (JM)
Saturday, March 4th
Buy some orchids (and learn to care for them), 700 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free, plus cost of flowers if you want them
The Central Illinois Orchid Society is holding its annual show and sale. There will be orchids to purchase (but arrive early with cash or check in hand), plus master orchid gardener folks on hand to tell you how to care for them. There are repotting demos at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (JH)
Treat yourself to peanut butter ice cream, Grovestone, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $3.95
Did you know Grovestone has desserts, too? Treat yourself to some ice cream this Saturday. On Thursday, Matt reviewed four desserts from the Champaign shop, and this peanut butter ice cream looked so good. He wrote, “Absolutely packed with ribbons of peanut butter, chocolate, and cookie dough chunks, each bite was incredibly rich.” (AB)
Listen to Rose Marshack read from her new book, Exile on Main Street, Champaign, 2 p.m., free
Musician, author, professor, and Poster Child Rose Marshack will be in conversation with Lisa Bralts at Exile on Main. She’ll be talking about (and signing) her new book, Play Like a Man: My Life in Poster Children. It should be a really interesting and enlightening conversation. (JH)
Get your insect fix, Foellinger Auditorium, 5:30 p.m., free
It’s the 40th anniversary of the Insect Fear Film Festival, founded by the esteemed May Berenbaum. This year’s theme is Living Fossils. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., you can browse exhibits and pet some insects. At 7:30 p.m., there will be two films shown, as well as some episodes of the animated series Pike’s Lagoon. Creator and animator Jacob Lenard will be on hand for a Q&A beginning at 6 p.m. Find more info here. (JM)
Sunday, March 5th
See a cat show, Marketplace Shopping Center (former Hancock Fabrics), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., $8-10
Yes, a cat show. See lots of breeds, cats in costume, visit with vendors, and watch different categories of judging. The show is put on by the Illini Cat Club, and is happening both Saturday and Sunday. (JM)
Celebrate Purim with music and drag, Canopy Club, 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.), $5
You don’t have to be Jewish or affiliated with any sort of religion to enjoy this annual telling of the story of Esther, and how she saved the Jewish people in Persia. This is the 6th annual event from Illini Hillel and Uniting Pride. You can read more about the story behind the production in our interview with a past producer. Snag tickets now online or at Manolo’s, Canopy Club, or Hillel. Day of show tickets jump up to $9 (still worth it). (JM)
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